“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Balm in Gilead

I recently mentioned watching the royal wedding. One of the highlights of the wedding was the sermon by Rev. Michael Curry, an Episcopalian bishop from the U.S. He didn’t just deliver a message, he preached!

I’m sure there’s never been a royal wedding with a sermon like his. For 13 minutes he spoke about Christ’s love. I kept thinking—this is being heard by millions around the world. How awesome!

He referred to a song: “There is a Balm in Gilead.” It’s an African-American spiritual sung by the slaves in the antebellum south in the midst of their captivity. It’s taken from Jeremiah 8:22. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” The slaves sang the song in reference to the saving power of Jesus—the one true ointment that heals our spiritual wounds.

The balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally. It’s named for the region of Gilead where it was produced—a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. Miracles were attributed to this rare ointment. It was prized for its healing power. It was taken on trade caravans all over the known world.

Here are the words to the song:

Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again…

If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all”…

Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend;
And if you lack for knowledge, He’ll never refuse to lend.
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.

Since hearing the sermon, I find myself humming and singing the song. And then I find myself praying for that balm in my life. There are days when I need His healing balm to take pain away. And other times I need His balm to pour strength into my life. I often need His balm to lift sorrow from my heart. Recently I’ve needed His balm to help me carry the stress that has been continually present. His “balm” is a rich, healing gift to us.

As I’ve sung the song, I’ve pictured Him pouring His sweet smelling oil into my life, into my needs. He “revives my soul again.” He heals my wounds. And He meets me when I’m discouraged. Jesus is the balm in Gilead. He’s the One who makes us whole.

There are so many difficulties, problems, needs that I’ve walked through on this unexpected journey. I couldn’t have managed without His balm being poured into my life over and over again.

I’ve learned that Jesus is the “balm” for every need I have. I can call out to Him any time, day or night, and He is there to meet me. His Word is a “balm” to my heart. The promises, encouragements, and instruction of the Word minister into every situation that I face. Worship is a “balm” to my soul. As I choose to honor and praise Him in the midst of my trials, it releases healing into my needs.

“Jesus, oh how sweet Your balm is that floods into our souls in our times of need! We’re grateful that there is a “balm in Gilead.” You are our balm of healing, hope, and strength. Amen.”